Brian Hoyer Notes from MMQB

The Cleveland Browns and Brian Hoyer got a bit lost over the weekend with all of the exciting Sunday action. Yet the team’s destruction of the in state rival Cincinnati Bengals is a huge story. So his Hoyer’s play and contract situation.

As he does every Monday Morning, Peter King produced his huge MMQB article. Hoyer was discussed in a few notes:

"2. Brian Hoyer’s agent, Joe Linta, told me Sunday he hasn’t had any discussions about a new contract for the 2015 free-agent-to-be since May. Six months. Hoyer would be the most desirable veteran quarterback among a weak crop. There is time for Hoyer to fall to earth, of course, but I’ll be amazed if the Browns, seeking a long-term answer at quarterback since forever, let him walk."

The good news for the Browns is that Hoyer is wanted. It is also not shocking that the team hasn’t had a contract discussion with his agent this season so far. The Browns, like they did with Alex Mack, have the tags available for leverage and can wait to see how he finishes off the season. Saying that he would be the best of the veteran FA QB class could just say he is the strongest of the weaklings. He is likely much better than that but the Browns do have options to keep Hoyer in the fold.

"6. I think Carson Palmer re-signing Friday is a tremendous boost to Brian Hoyer’s prospective new deal, wherever it ends up being done. There is not a marquee quarterback (is there ever?) in the 2015 free-agent quarterback pool. The two most interesting—which could change, depending on how Ryan Mallett does with his chance in Houston in the last half of the season—are Hoyer and restricted free-agent Austin Davis of the Rams. How I would rate the top five prospective quarterback free-agents-to-be, in order:• Brian Hoyer, Cleveland. Quick release, ability to process info. Has made some big throws under pressure for the Browns during their surprising 6-3 start, and the Browns have had zero conversations about a new contract for Hoyer since May, agent Joe Linta said Sunday. Linta also had Joe Flacco a couple of years ago. Flacco played out his deal and was rewarded after the Ravens won the Super Bowl. Hoyer has nowhere near the résumé of Flacco, of course. But he’s got one thing in common with Flacco. “He’s like Joe,” Linta said. “He’s bet on himself.”"

For Hoyer, if he really bet on himself, he made a good choice. Unlike Flacco, Hoyer was not given a big contract offer from the Browns to extend his contract. He was coming off knee surgery and going into a new offense. He decided not to extend his small contract for a few more years. Very little risk there. There is always a market for backup QBs and that is the type of contract he likely turned down.

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The Browns have to be careful. Making a decision because of the lack of other options is one way to overpay and put yourself in a negative situation. The Bengals seemed to do this with Andy Dalton, although the setup of his contract is one the Browns could try to replicate, and now are stuck with him for a few years. Without the big contract they could have made the decision to draft Teddy Bridgewater to groom him. Instead they looked to improve the team with Dalton at the helm.

The Hoyer situation will be an interesting one to play out. Because the Browns have the tag options, as well as Johnny Manziel on the bench, they are under no pressure to get him signed. The Franchise Tag for QBs is quite high but it allows the team to hold on to Hoyer for another year or two if they think Manziel is the future. It also pushes Hoyer to possibly sign a long term contract with them instead of being strung along.

How do you want Brian Hoyer’s contract situation to play out?

How do you think it will actually play out?

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